Duke of Cambridge backs new and emerging talent in BAFTA message

Prince William has pledged his support for BAFTAs ‘Give Something Back’ campaign, as preparations get underway to mark the 68th British Academy Film Awards.

In a message to those attending this year’s Gala Dinner on 5th February, The Duke said that he was “delighted” to support the campaign which aims to help young people enter the film, television and games industries.

He added: “Today, more than ever, young people and those at the beginning of their career need to be nurtured and supported to achieve their potential and succeed.”

Prince William became the President of BAFTA in 2010, succeeding the only non-Royal President in its 68 year history, Lord Attenborough.

The Give Something Back campaign was launched by the Prince in 2013. In a bid to mentor new and emerging talent, BAFTA calls on its members, award winners and various industry organisations to contribute towards their charitable activities, and help give young people a step in the right direction through scholarships, guest lectures and summer work placements.

In April 2013, as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry visited the Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, three BAFTA scholarships were announced in his name. The Prince William Scholarships assist those in need of financial support to study a post-graduate course in one of three industries: Film, Television or Games.

BAFTA often holds guest lectures and talks to help young people get a foothold in the film, television and games industries.

The red carpet will be rolled out at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden on Sunday 8th February to celebrate the best British and international contributions to film in 2014. The presenter and actor, Stephen Fry, will host the awards for the tenth time. The awards will be broadcast on BBC One at 21:00.

Kensington Palace will play host to a pre-ceremony reception on Saturday evening for the BAFTA nominees, which include Benedict Cumberbatch, Eddie Redmayne, Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon, amongst others.

Alongside the major award, those being closely watched will be the nominees for the EE Rising Star Award.

Honouring a young actor or actress who has demonstrated exceptional talent and ambition, the award has five nominees this year: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jack O’Connell, Margot Robbie, Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley.

BAFTA has had a long standing connection with the Royal Family since its foundation. In 1959, The Duke of Edinburgh became the organisation’s first President before handing the reins over to his uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, in 1966. It was the Earl who designed the conversion system to turn all the projectors aboard King George’s ships to take ‘talkies’ after the silent film era.

The Princess Royal succeeded Earl Mountbatten in 1972, a year after she presented the first ever Fellowship Award to Alfred Hitchcock. She also presented the first bronze mask to Sir Charles Chaplin in 1976, the year that the Society of Film and Television Arts (SFTA) was renamed BAFTA. In her honour, the main theatre at BAFTAs London Headquarters, 195 Piccadilly, was named The Princess Anne Theatre.

More information on the nominees for this year’s awards are available on the BAFTA website.